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The Riigikogu is the parliament of Estonia. Its 101 members are elected at general elections for a term of four years. The Riigikogu passes laws and resolutions, exercises parliamentary supervision and ratifies international agreements.

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Need for cooperation was underlined at the joint sitting of the defence committees of the parliaments of Estonia and Finland

15.10.2015 / Press releases, National Defence Committee

At the meeting of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) with the Defence Committee of Eduskunta (Parliament of Finland) today, the need to enhance cooperation in combating the increased threats to security was emphasised.

Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson said that in the present security situation, the neighbouring states of Russia have to be very careful. It is especially important at the time when Europe is dealing with the refugee crisis coming from Africa and Middle East and economic recession, Islamic extremism is spreading and threat of terrorism prevails, and the presidential election campaign has started in the United States.

“Taking all this into account, the behaviour of our eastern neighbour is unpredictable, and therefore Estonia pays very much attention to national defence,” Mihkelson said at the joint sitting. He emphasised that the defence cooperation of Estonia and Finland has noticeable room for development.

Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee Mart Helme noted that Estonia and Finland could intensify cooperation in ensuring cyber security.

The head of the Finnish delegation Ilkka Kanerva said that a very lively security debate is going on in Finland. In Kanerva’s opinion, cooperation is very necessary, and contacts with colleagues help comprehend the common security risks better.

The joint sitting of the Finnish Defence Committee and the Estonian National Defence Committee is the most long-standing format of international cooperation of the committees of the Riigikogu. Since 17 May 1993, when the Chairman Kalevi Lamminen and Secretary Alpo Rivinoja of the Defence Committee of the Eduskunta visited the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu, the cooperation with the Finnish colleagues has been close, and regular working meetings are held every year.